Catered Cottage, Derbyshire
Rose Cottage, Potters Hill, Wheatcroft Nr. Matlock, Derbyshire
What an excellent alternative to the usual self-catering options - which may not really be such a holiday for the chief cook! And really relaxing compared to the stress the formalities and timetable of a hotel can bring. At Catered Cottage the whole family can relax and be themselves. We are delighted to have happened upon Susan who has recognised that there is a happy, happy medium - your own cottage with all meals prepared and tidied away without you lifting a finger - she incidentally previously ran a ski-chalet.
And she really knows what she's doing. A gorgeous, country cottage, beautifully and comfortably furnished with exquisitely prepared, tasty food punctuating your day.
Accommodation
A traditional Derbyshire stone cottage, situated on a quiet country lane, Catered Cottage is surrounded by open fields and provides accommodation for up to 6 adults. The ground floor holds the large living room with wood burning stove, TV with radio and DVD/CD. Leading off the living room, the separate dining room has stunning views across farmland and seats up to 8 people so you may like to invite friends for dinner! Also on the ground floor is a bathroom (bath with shower over), toilet and lobby. There is a safety gate across the kitchen door and the wood burning stove can be completely enclosed by a fire guard.
Upstairs is a second bathroom and 4 bedrooms - 2 doubles and 2 singles. One full size cot and high chair and child carrying backpack are available to you.
Food
Meals can be prepared so they are lactose or gluten free and vegetarians and vegans are welcome and catered for.
No searching for shops or restaurants, no stocking the car with bags of supplies, no unpacking of supermarket deliveries - you are on holiday and taken good care of.
Breakfast Early mornings you can help yourself to a cup of tea and give the kids some cereal to keep them going. When you are ready your breakfast will be cooked at a time previously agreed. The kids are welcome to cooked breakfast too.
Afternoon tea Inside or outside depending on the weather, you can expect home-baked cake or cookies, scones with jam and cream, strudel, tart or teabread. Tea is laid out for 3 pm or by arrangement and if you are going walking afternoon tea may be packed up to take with you. If there is a birthday in your party, or it's a special celebration, you can ask Susan to prepare a cake for the occasion which you can have instead of your afternoon tea.
Evening meal Dinner normally begins between 7 and 7.30pm - should you wish to bring this forward to eat as a family that's fine just let Susan know what you would rather do. The 3-course meal is freshly cooked - as many ingredients as possible are sourced locally - Susan will suggest a menu to you but this is not set in stone and you can let her know your favourites.
Starters may be grilled goat cheese with green salad or carrot & apple curry soup. Main course could be fish pie with roast potatoes and steamed vegetables or roasted chicken wrapped in ham and served with steamed vegetables. Dessert may be summer pudding with cream or Lemon Meringue Pie. Please do note alcohol is not included - bring your favorite wine and save loads on restaurant prices.
If a baby is among your party, small amounts of the ingredients are cooked and kept to one side so you can choose what is served for tea or whizzed up for the next day.
It's an option on pleasant summer evenings to have a few sundowners" followed by a barbecue on the terrace overlooking the valley. The terrace and sunken lawn looks out over a real slice of Derbyshire countryside. Weather permitting any of your meals can be taken at the large picnic table which has the best of the views from the cottage.
To Do
Catered Cottage offers a unique opportunity to experience a country cottage without having to shop, cook or do the washing-up - here your day is your own - you can visit the local Pride and Prejudice "landmarks", see the wonderful buildings where The Duchess and The Other Boleyn Girl was filmed, or walk Dove Dale, picnic at Chatsworth House, wander down Monsal Head, make a splash at Carsington Water, sniff out the cheese shop in Hartington, bike the Tissington Trail, or visit and learn the history of Haddon Hall, Hardwick Hall and Bolsover Castle.
Your Catered Cottage break includes full use of the cottage and garden (you will not need the kitchen!), a cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and a 3-course dinner-party style evening meal. You may help yourself to tea and coffee throughout your stay.
And you are guaranteed to arrive home from your hols feeling refreshed and raring to go - a novelty in itself as many a parent will know!